The Gospel We Preach Determines Who We Become

The Jesus I believe in and the gospel I preach determines the kind of person I become and the kind of disciples I will make. I appreciate the words of E. Stanley Jones, “If God isn’t like Jesus, he ought to be.” Jesus is my motivation for discipleship. He is my teacher, my leader, my Lord, and my God; he is the exclusive revelation of God.

The letter to the Hebrews puts it this way:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds he universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become as much superior to angels as the name he has inherited is more excellent than theirs (Heb. 1:1–4 ESV, emphasis added; see also John 1:1–3; Col. 1:15–20).

When we think of God, we should see Jesus on the cross. This is our God who sacrifices, lives, and dies for the sake of others. He cares in such a way that he holds nothing of himself back. “For this is how God loved: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God send his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him” (John 3:16–17 NLT). Ultimately, this is why we must respond to his command to go and make disciples of all peoples. Jesus gave his all; now I must give my all for him. All who are called to salvation are called to follow Jesus as his disciples. No exceptions. No excuses. Jesus held nothing back, and neither can we.